Always an ambitious undertaking, concept albums can be very difficult to pull off. Throughout rock history, there have been many attempts at the artform, many have been magnificent, more have been consigned to the forgettable pile. This forward thinking four piece from Melbourne have made a pretty damn good fist of it. Especially on what would have been a reasonably restrictive budget.
Redesign details the story of a man’s descent into, and ultimately redemption from, depression. Not exactly the most wildly original idea for a storyline, but often it’s more about the execution rather than the originality of the idea. The delivery here is very solid. The treatment of the storyline is quite effective, and it entertains as it informs, with strong hooks, grooves and musicianship. The music ebbs and flows as the story unfolds.
Of course, one of the true tests of a concept album is whether the songs stand alone as pieces of art, as well as forming part of the theme. Happily, they definitely do here: you drop in on virtually any of the tracks and enjoy it as a separate entity, without having to hear it as part of the whole.
BY ROD WHITFIELD
Best Track: Redesign
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT, DEAD LETTER CIRCUS
In a Word: Bold
